In this episode of On Balance Dr. Berger spends time with Jadd Martinez of Amergis to learn more about staffing shortages across education and beyond those that we hear about in the headlines.

Jadd Martinez joined Amergis Educational Staffing in 2003 and has spent the majority of his career in educational staffing. With a focus on consultation and collaboration, Jadd helped Amergis expand from a handful of markets with a singular offering, to a widely diversified, nationwide leader in the K-12 staffing industry. Jadd has a passion for education, and with a young daughter approaching school age, he'll be spending much more time in the classroom!

Rachel Byrne, Executive Director of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF), joins host Dr. Rod Berger to learn more about CP and the educational opportunities to impact individuals, families, educators, and organizations driving CPF's mission.

More than 17 million people globally are living with Cerebral Palsy (CP), making it the most common lifelong physical disability. Yet, it has been historically overlooked and underfunded. Few people are aware of the impact access to early detection can have on patient lives.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Ireland, backed by $12.5 million from notable donors, including John and Patrick Collison, Rachel is combining the worlds of health and tech. CPF will collaborate with universities and healthcare institutions to pilot and implement crucial research areas, paving the way for nationwide advancements in CP care.

In this episode Dr. Berger and Rachel look at:

The critical role of early intervention in improving outcomes for people with brain injuries like CP.

Steps she's taking to increase awareness and support for CP public policy, research, and investments on a global scale.

The Foundation's approach to investing in research to inform implementation.

Rachel Byrne is the Executive Director at the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. She has been working in the field of pediatric rehabilitation and cerebral palsy research for over a decade. Rachel has a background in physical therapy, with a particular interest in neuroplasticity and motor learning. Her early career as a clinician delivering physical therapy services in schools, hospitals and private practice is underpinned by her research interests focused on knowledge translation and the impact on a person’s ability to participate in the community across the lifespan.

At the Foundation, she has continued her research interest in evidence-based practice, knowledge translation, early detection and interventions across the lifespan and population studies for cerebral palsy. Rachel was instrumental in developing the Just Say Hi inclusion curriculum which is now being taught nationally. In the last 12 years she has given multiple presentations at international conferences and managed large multisite research projects.

Check out the latest episode of On Balance as Dr. Rod Berger takes a deep dive into higher education through the lens of award-winning journalist Karin Klein and her latest book, Rethinking College - A Guide To Thriving Without A Degree.

"A valuable reassessment of America's educational system." —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

What if you didn't have to go to college?

You may have heard that a college degree is the only path to success. But many college graduates end up mired in debt and underemployed, working jobs that don't even require a degree. The good news? Many promising career options exist for those who don't want to or can't attend college.

In Rethinking College, award-winning journalist Karin Klein sets out a new path for our country's students and their families. Klein examines why the traditional college-for-all model has been overhyped and is growing less relevant, then shares practical advice and real-world examples of exactly how others have succeeded without a four-year degree.

Discover many alternative paths, including white-collar apprenticeships, certificate programs, entrepreneurship, creative careers, residential public-service work, and more.

Klein will guide you step-by-step toward a broad range of fulfilling and well-paid careers that don't require a degree—ranging from pilots, costume designers, influencers, writers, computer programmers, corporate headhunters, film editors, and so many more. The breadth of possibilities is wider than you think!

Rethinking College is perfect for:

• Those who are unsure of their next education or career steps.
• Those looking to make a job pivot.
• Parents seeking guidance for their child.
• School counselors who want to offer their students more and better options.

As a graduate teaching assistant at Georgia Tech, CEO & Co-Founder of Instructify Chirag Tailor worked on designing educational technology to improve the quality of online education. After entering the industry, he continued volunteering with the Georgia Tech EdTech Lab led by his advisor, Dr. Thad Starner.

The tools designed by Chirag & Dr. Starner were widely used by the College of Computing as they scaled up their Online Masters in Computer Science and became critical to instruction during the pandemic.

In 2021, Chirag founded Instructify to build a robust commercial offering of these tools, assist institutes of all sizes in transitioning to online education, and leverage advances in artificial intelligence.

Instructify's noted technology, TALIA (Teaching and Learning Intelligent Assistant), helps students manage large courses by answering student queries in preferred discussion boards.

Chirag continues to answer the technology 'bell' with practical solutions. If the past is a predictor of the future...Chirag is just scratching the surface of what's to come. Chirag is an entrepreneur in the truest sense - a thoughtful problem solver who isn't afraid of digging into the unknown to find solutions for all.

Spotlight on Recognition: Enhancing Education with Hilight's Claire Smith and Krissy Taft

Welcome to "On Balance," the podcast where we delve into the world of education, technology, and entrepreneurship through inspiring and insightful conversations. I'm your host, Dr. Rod Berger, and in this episode, we are thrilled to feature the co-founders of Hilight, Claire Smith and Krissy Taft.

Today, we uncover the fascinating journeys of Claire and Krissy as they navigate the challenges and triumphs of being women in the tech industry. Claire shares her experiences overcoming isolation and self-doubt, while Krissy reveals her evolving passion for computer science and her mission to encourage young girls to explore STEM fields. Together, they discuss the subtle barriers that dissuade girls from STEM and the innovative ways they are working to change that narrative.

We'll delve into the evolution of their company, Hilight, a powerful tool designed to recognize and amplify the efforts of teachers and school communities. Claire and Krissy also discuss how data and AI can provide valuable insights for school leaders, making a substantial impact on school culture and morale.

With their unique blend of confidence and humility, our guests emphasize the importance of finding one’s voice and maintaining balance as entrepreneurs. Join us as we celebrate their commitment to making a difference, their well-deserved recognitions, and their ongoing journey to support and inspire the next generation. This is an episode you won't want to miss

Timestamps

00:00 Passionate founders of education tech startup Hilight.

05:03 Loves career switch and parallels in industries.

07:30 Technology simplifies innovation, focuses on essential.

12:42 Analyzing challenges, integrating technology, and its magic.

14:29 Aligning core values to school mission's effectiveness.

17:31 Excited about data and potential for AI.

23:44 Chrissy overcame obstacles in tech industry.

25:41 Supporting girls in education and sports strong.

29:48 CEO roles, brand association, finding voice development.

31:40 Overcome pressure with confidence and humility.

34:23 Closing chapter of "On Balance"

Connect with Claire Smith 

Website: https://www.hilightedu.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-margaret-smith/

Connect with Krissy Taft

Website: https://www.hilightedu.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krissy-taft/

In this On Balance episode, Dr. Rod Berger sits down with Strategos Group Partner and former Florida State Legislator Vance Aloupis, who discusses his latest venture: a new Strategos consulting practice called National Advocacy Management (NAM).

Drawing on his background in education advocacy, Vance shares his vision for NAM and how it will benefit clients who want a meaningful role in shaping education policy. NAM is designed to provide education companies with a tailored, data-driven approach to navigating the complexities of state-specific policies. Vance explains how NAM stands out by offering a comprehensive, personalized strategy, ensuring clients can effectively cut through the noise and achieve meaningful results. By leveraging a dedicated team and advanced data insights, NAM aligns client needs with broader national education campaigns, offering strategic guidance and foresight in an ever-evolving market.

Join us as Vance details the unique challenges education companies face today and how NAM's innovative approach can help them thrive. Discover the strategic vision behind NAM and how it sets a new standard for advocacy in the education sector.

Adam Giery, Managing Partner at Strategos Group, embodies the aspirational spirit of a student with the ferocity of a grizzled veteran of the choppy waves of entrepreneurship. This special episode of On Balance with Dr. Rod Berger looks at the power of persistence through an exemplar of authentic leadership.

Giery, below, aptly describes his initial challenges and the path to personal and professional redemption, culminating in several accolades and inclusion in a newly released book, From Start to Success: 40 Stories of Successful C-Suite Executives. Giery's chapter, An Early Education In Business Drives Success, delivers a raw commentary on the intangibles required to motivate oneself and inspire teams across disciplines. A personal recollection steeped in practical and thought-provoking prose inspires the reader to tackle entrepreneurship with authenticity and vigor. This is truly a special episode through the experiences and stories of a leader who is just getting started.

Get a taste of the interview through Giery's own voice below!

Adam Giery, in his own words: I was prescribed a lifetime diagnosis of underachievement as a child. However, educators and my mother had other plans. This experience and the education system in my community positively altered the trajectory of my life. I now dedicate my energy, profession, and investments to the continued evolution of the education system that has provided much for me.

As a former classroom teacher, I believe in exploring and driving education innovation with practical applications to create an inclusive education ecosystem. Advancing education organizations and policies to impact student growth meaningfully has become my life’s work.

I presently serve as Managing Partner of Strategos Group, accelerating organizations poised to disrupt and transform the field of K-20 education. With a team of former superintendents, educators, and legislators, we advise Fortune 500 companies, private equity, EdTech startups, venture capitalists, and philanthropic organizations on strategic growth initiatives. Our mission is to discover and support organizations committed to delivering exceptional educational outcomes.

I am proud to be an education advocate first and an entrepreneur second. I enjoy big laughs, making wine, and, if I’m lucky, playing a few holes of golf when time allows.

Joanna McFarland and a group of moms discussed the daily challenge of getting their kids from point A to point B at a child’s birthday party in late 2013. Joanna suggested they buy a van and hire all the moms and babysitters in the neighborhood to drive their children around. The idea sparked what would become HopSkipDrive: think not quite Uber for kids but more like caregivers on wheels.

Launched in March 2015 by Joanna, Carolyn Yashari Becher, and Janelle McGlothlin, the company has completed tens of thousands of trips and received $3.9 million in seed funding.

Amir Nathoo is the co-founder and CEO of Outschool, a marketplace for live online classes for K-12 learners. He led Square Payroll's development and served as CEO and co-founder of Trigger.io. He holds an MEng in Electrical and Information Sciences from The University of Cambridge.

Outschool is an innovative education platform that offers a variety of engaging, small-group classes online. Unlike traditional classes, Outschool classes give kids the unique opportunity to explore their interests in-depth via interactive, live video by experienced, independent educators.

When Outschool was founded in 2015, homeschoolers were the first to discover our classes, but it wasn’t long before kids in conventional schools began supplementing their education with fun and unique, interest-based classes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Outschool became vital to families who wanted to keep kids learning, social, and pursuing their passions.

Today, Outschool offers more than 140,000 live online classes to more than 1,000,000 learners in 183 countries worldwide.

The Strategos Podcast Network is happy to debut the first episode of Strategos #TeacherTalks in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week!

Our first episode is an On Balance special with host and Strategos Senior Advisor Dr. Rod Berger and Autumn Rivera, a sixth-grade science teacher, 2022 Colorado Teacher of the Year, and 2023 Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) Educator of the Year! 

Learn about Autumn's unique teaching approach and her students' special project that saved a local lake and turned it into a state park!